Christmas in Georgia

Georgiais a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is bordered to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi.

Christmas Celebrations in Georgia :

In Georgia, Christmas is celebrated on 7th January. It is traditional in Georgia to go on Alilo or Alleluia, a mass walk in the streets, dressed in special clothing to celebrate and congratulate each other. Most members of the Alilo march are children and they are given sweets by the adults. The Alilo carols vary across the provinces of Georgia.

A local variant of the Christmas tree, called Chichilaki, is made of soft wooden material with curled branches. Sometimes it is hazelnut branch which is carved into a Tree of Life-like shape and decorated with fruits and sweets.

The Western custom of a Christmas tree known as nadzvis khe is also popular and has been imported through Russia. The Georgian equivalent of “Santa Claus” is known as tovlis papa or tovlis babua in western Georgian dialects, literally meaning a “Grandfather snow”, and is traditionally portrayed with long white beard, dressed in national costume “chokha” and wearing a fur cloak “nabadi”.

We wish all Readers Merry Christmas 2018 & Prosperous New Year 2019 !!!